As relocation experts, at Move One we know very well that many expats like taking a memento home with them after their international assignments are over. What could be better than a local dog? To help you decide on the choice of pup, we have asked our country managers to recommend their favorite breeds and advice.

This month we guide you to Hungary…

The Vizsla, also known as Magyar Vizsla, is a dog breed originating in Hungary. Vizslas are known as excellent bird dogs and also for their gentle personalities, making them a great dog for families.

There are two theories concerning the Vizsla’s history. The first and most prevalent theory traces the Vizsla back to the very earliest times in Hungarian history. Ancestors of today’s Vizsla were the hunting dogs used by the Magyar tribes living in the Carpathian Basin in the eighth century, and primitive stone drawings featuring dogs resembling the Vizsla seem to validate this theory. Throughout the Middle Ages, Vizslas were owned by sporting nobility of Hungary, who initially used them to hunt with falcons, then with firearms.

The other theory says that the Vizsla first appeared in the last century, being the product of Weimaraners and other pointer breeds. Either way, the Vizsla is a popular choice for both hunters and families looking to add a loving pet to their home.

This breed is one of the smallest of the all-round pointer-retriever sporting breeds, and comes in two varieties: smooth or wire-haired. The smooth coat is short, smooth, straight and shiny, whilst the wire coat is harsher to the touch and close fitting. The colour of the coat is a beautiful russet gold, and in both varieties is short and dense making it easy to keep clean after a day out in the field. Any dead or loose hairs can be removed by using a rubber grooming mitt.

Their lack of undercoat also means the Vizsla is less likely to cause an allergic reaction than other breeds. Because of their type of coat Vizslas are less tolerant to the cold as they are to heat, making them a perfect dog for hot climate areas.

The average height of these elegant dogs is 53 – 64 cm (21 – 25 inches), and the average weight is 22 – 30 kg (48.5 – 66 lb). Their life expectancy is 12 to 15 years.

This natural hunter is lively, loyal, gentle, affectionate and sensitive. It is also very sporty and intelligent. They get on well with children as well as other dogs and household pets, but Vizslas should not be left unsupervised with small children as they could easily knock over an infant assuming it was part of play. Their protective instincts are well-developed but they don’t bark often, and then only if necessary or if they are provoked.

This is a highly affectionate and loving dog, and will most probably follow its owner everywhere – whether it’s out of town or into the kitchen or even a bathroom. Vizslas like to be as close to their owner as possible and will most likely try to sleep with their head on the owner’s pillow. People have commented that owning a Vizsla is a lot like having an extra shadow.

The Vizsla is energetic and athletic and as such must receive adequate exercise to prevent it from becoming destructive or neurotic, engaging in obsessive-compulsive behavior such as persistent licking. They hate to be left alone, so they are not ideal for a single person who has to work long hours. This dog is best suited for country living, and would enjoy an at least average-sized yard. As the Vizsla is a great jumper it will escape from a yard that it’s bored of if there is not a sufficiently high fence. With enough exercise it will easily adapt to life in a city or suburban area. This dog is a perfect companion for a hunter or a jogger.

Training and socialization are of crucial importance for the breed, and learning must start early. Hungarian Vizslas are intelligent and eager to learn, meaning they are relatively easy to train. As these dogs are highly sensitive, training must be gentle but determined, with the firm-hand leader to guide them. With the right approach it should not be difficult to train this dog as Vizslas like to please their owners and handlers.

The Hungarian Vizsla is considered a robust dog, however, they may be prone to hip dysplasia, digestive problems and some eye conditions, such as endotropin - a medical condition in which the eyelids fold inward. This can be very uncomfortable, as the eyelashes rub against the eyeball constantly. Also, idiopathic epilepsy is becoming more common in this breed. Vizslas are also prone to hypothyroidism, an endocrine disease that results in the abnormally low production of thyroid hormones. The symptoms of hypothyroidism include lethargy, mental depression, weight gain and a tendency to seek out warm places.

If you wish to take a dog home with you after your assignment is over, please make sure you leave at least a full month to ensure all paperwork is in place prior to move.

Move One’s Pet Transportation department specializes in the transportation of household pets, working dogs and exotic animals. If you would like advice about internationally relocating your pet safely, sanely and legally or just for further information about our general pet relocation services, please contact us at pet@moveoneinc.com. One of our dedicated animal relocation agents will get back to you shortly with information, advice and a quote tailor-made to your needs.

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